WTCC: Lopez denies Huff race two win

Jose Maria Lopez completed a stunning double victory in Argentina to extend his lead in the World Touring Car Championship drivers' standings to 60 points over Citroen teammate Yvan Muller. The local hero denied Rob Huff, who delivered Lada's highest finish since entering the WTCC in second.

From pole, Huff led until four laps from the finish when Lopez calmly outbraked the former champion into the Turn 5 hairpin. A second home win in one day left Lopez fighting back tears of joy in the post-race press conference.

Yvan Muller's progress through the field was delayed when he was forced to engage in a lengthy tussle with former team-mate Tom Chilton when disputing fifth on laps six and seven, but the Frenchman eventually escaped and was able to negotiate the Hondas to claim final place on the podium.

Chilton would later retire after being squeezed onto the grass by the third Citroen of Sebastien Loeb. Lead Honda honors went to Gabriele Tarquini in fourth, as he edged out team-mate Tiago Monteiro by half a second.

Sebastien Loeb completed the top six ahead of race one runner-up Norbert Michelisz.

Mehdi Bennani held second place behind Huff during the opening laps, only to drop six places on lap five when he was swallowed up by the two factory Hondas, Lopez, Muller and Chilton. The Moroccan sunk to ninth at the chequered flag.

In an eventful race, Hungaroring victor Gianni Morbidelli received a drive-through penalty for contact with a Lada Granta, while front row starter Hugo Valente posted his second retirement of the weekend.

Lopez continues to lead the standings on 310 points, Muller is second on 250 and Loeb third on 213.